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Icariin Ameliorates Spermatogenesis Disorder in Obese Mice Induced by High-Fat Diet through Regulating the Glycolytic
Min Luo1,2, Xiuhong Zhuge3, Lin Ji1
1Reproductive Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, China.
Scope:
Obesity is a global threat for male infertility, which can cause spermatogenic dysfunction. However, there are no available drugs for the treatment of obesity-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction. This study characterizes the protective effects of icariin (ICA) on spermatogenesis dysfunction in obese mice.
Methods And Results:
Obese mice are induced by a high-fat diet to determine whether ICA has a protective effect. ICA treatment reduces body weight and the proportion of abnormal sperm, brings about a recovery of sperm count, and the number of spermatogenic cells. ICA treatment improves histopathological changes of the testes and inhibits testicular apoptosis, as evidenced by reduced the expression of Bax and increased the expression of Bcl-2, PCNA, WT1, GATA-4, vimentin, HK2, PKM2, and LDHA in the testes. In vitro, TM4 cells are treated with 0.4 mm palmitic acid (PA) to induce Sertoli cell injury, and are then utilized for ICA treatment. ICA improves PA-induced decreased TM4 cells viability, reduces the levels of lactate, and increases the levels of pyruvate and the expression of HK2, PKM2, and LDHA and restores the glycolytic process in vitro.
Conclusion:
ICA ameliorates spermatogenic dysfunction in obese mice by regulating glycolytic activity, providing effective strategies for obesity treatment.
Insights
Icariin (ICA) protects against obesity-induced male infertility by improving sperm health and testicular function in mice. This natural compound offers a potential therapeutic strategy for reproductive dysfunction linked to obesity.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Metabolic disorders
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Obesity is a significant global health concern contributing to male infertility.
- Obesity-induced spermatogenic dysfunction lacks effective pharmacological treatments.
- Icariin (ICA) is a compound with potential therapeutic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of icariin (ICA) against spermatogenic dysfunction in a mouse model of obesity.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying ICA's action on testicular function and sperm quality.
Main Methods:
- Obese mice were induced using a high-fat diet and treated with ICA.
- Sperm count, morphology, testicular histology, and apoptosis markers were assessed.
- In vitro studies used TM4 cells treated with palmitic acid (PA) to model Sertoli cell injury, followed by ICA treatment.
- Metabolic markers including lactate, pyruvate, and key glycolytic enzymes were analyzed.
Main Results:
- ICA treatment reduced body weight and improved sperm quality (count, abnormality) in obese mice.
- Histopathological analysis revealed improved testicular structure and reduced apoptosis (decreased Bax, increased Bcl-2).
- In vitro, ICA enhanced TM4 cell viability, restored glycolytic balance (increased pyruvate, lactate, and key enzyme expression).
Conclusions:
- Icariin (ICA) effectively ameliorates obesity-induced spermatogenic dysfunction in mice.
- ICA exerts its protective effects by regulating testicular glycolytic activity.
- These findings suggest ICA as a promising therapeutic agent for male infertility associated with obesity.
